Sam Atwell
@swjatwell.bsky.social
💼 Employment and health at the Health Foundation. Trustee at Big Futures Foundation.
Was great to speak with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social last week about the Keep Britain Working review, and what employers and government can be doing to support people with health conditions to thrive in work.
What can employers do to keep people with health conditions in work? And what actions can government take to enable this?
@swjatwell.bsky.social reflects on the Mayfield Review with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social ⬇️
@swjatwell.bsky.social reflects on the Mayfield Review with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social ⬇️
How to heal the UK's unwell workplace and economy with the Health Foundation | FUBAR Radio
Last week a report revealed that 800,000 more people are out of work sick now than in 2019. What can be done to heal the UK's sickly economy? Sam Atwell from...
bit.ly
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Was great to speak with @zoegrunewald.bsky.social last week about the Keep Britain Working review, and what employers and government can be doing to support people with health conditions to thrive in work.
Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working report out today.
It sets out a clear case for better workplace health support, and a call to action for employers to lead the charge.
V. important with over 4 million workers now with work-limiting health conditions
www.gov.uk/government/p...
It sets out a clear case for better workplace health support, and a call to action for employers to lead the charge.
V. important with over 4 million workers now with work-limiting health conditions
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Keep Britain Working Review: Final report
Keep Britain Working is an independent review of the role of employers in tackling health based economic inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces.
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working report out today.
It sets out a clear case for better workplace health support, and a call to action for employers to lead the charge.
V. important with over 4 million workers now with work-limiting health conditions
www.gov.uk/government/p...
It sets out a clear case for better workplace health support, and a call to action for employers to lead the charge.
V. important with over 4 million workers now with work-limiting health conditions
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Sam Atwell
With Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working Review reporting soon, @swjatwell.bsky.social explores the labour market health challenge and how government can respond to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable employment system.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4oerKjq
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4oerKjq
October 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
With Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working Review reporting soon, @swjatwell.bsky.social explores the labour market health challenge and how government can respond to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable employment system.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4oerKjq
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4oerKjq
Latest Access to Work stats are out today
They show continued growth in the number of awards and spend, about 70% increase in both since 2019.
This is not hugely surprising: there's now 4.1m workers with a work-limiting health condition, up from 2.4m a decade ago
www.gov.uk/government/s...
They show continued growth in the number of awards and spend, about 70% increase in both since 2019.
This is not hugely surprising: there's now 4.1m workers with a work-limiting health condition, up from 2.4m a decade ago
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Access to Work statistics: April 2007 to March 2025
www.gov.uk
October 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Latest Access to Work stats are out today
They show continued growth in the number of awards and spend, about 70% increase in both since 2019.
This is not hugely surprising: there's now 4.1m workers with a work-limiting health condition, up from 2.4m a decade ago
www.gov.uk/government/s...
They show continued growth in the number of awards and spend, about 70% increase in both since 2019.
This is not hugely surprising: there's now 4.1m workers with a work-limiting health condition, up from 2.4m a decade ago
www.gov.uk/government/s...
New analysis from the @healthfoundation.bsky.social today.
Statutory sick pay is being tweaked in the Employment Rights Bill, but these (welcome) reforms won't go far enough to protect workers financially
The below sets out the context and some ideas for change.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Statutory sick pay is being tweaked in the Employment Rights Bill, but these (welcome) reforms won't go far enough to protect workers financially
The below sets out the context and some ideas for change.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Making statutory sick pay work
This analysis explains why current satutory sick pay reforms, though significant, do not go far enough and outlines a path to a better system.
www.health.org.uk
May 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
New analysis from the @healthfoundation.bsky.social today.
Statutory sick pay is being tweaked in the Employment Rights Bill, but these (welcome) reforms won't go far enough to protect workers financially
The below sets out the context and some ideas for change.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Statutory sick pay is being tweaked in the Employment Rights Bill, but these (welcome) reforms won't go far enough to protect workers financially
The below sets out the context and some ideas for change.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Reposted by Sam Atwell
‘Mayfield’s report argued that action to stop people leaving work when they first fell sick would make much more difference than reforms to the welfare system aimed at long-term benefits claimants.’
on.ft.com/4hoqxSu UK employers ‘find it cheaper to replace sick staff than retain them’
on.ft.com/4hoqxSu UK employers ‘find it cheaper to replace sick staff than retain them’
UK employers ‘find it cheaper to replace sick staff than retain them’
Report by former John Lewis boss calls for stronger incentives for employers to invest in workforce health
on.ft.com
March 20, 2025 at 1:20 PM
‘Mayfield’s report argued that action to stop people leaving work when they first fell sick would make much more difference than reforms to the welfare system aimed at long-term benefits claimants.’
on.ft.com/4hoqxSu UK employers ‘find it cheaper to replace sick staff than retain them’
on.ft.com/4hoqxSu UK employers ‘find it cheaper to replace sick staff than retain them’
The first report from Sir Charlie Mayfield's "Keep Britain Working" review has landed this morning.
A very busy week in the health and employment space.
A first scan through sees it echoes a lot from the recent @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A very busy week in the health and employment space.
A first scan through sees it echoes a lot from the recent @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Keep Britain Working Review: Discovery
www.gov.uk
March 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The first report from Sir Charlie Mayfield's "Keep Britain Working" review has landed this morning.
A very busy week in the health and employment space.
A first scan through sees it echoes a lot from the recent @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A very busy week in the health and employment space.
A first scan through sees it echoes a lot from the recent @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission.
www.gov.uk/government/p...
There was a lot to chew over in yesterday's green paper.
There are real signs that the government wants to move towards an 'early intervention' approach for supporting people with health conditions into work
But the bit cuts to PIP/UC eclipse these positives
www.health.org.uk/press-office...
There are real signs that the government wants to move towards an 'early intervention' approach for supporting people with health conditions into work
But the bit cuts to PIP/UC eclipse these positives
www.health.org.uk/press-office...
The Health Foundation responds to the Pathways to Work Green Paper
David Finch, Assistant Director at the Health Foundation, responds to the Pathways to Work Green Paper published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
www.health.org.uk
March 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
There was a lot to chew over in yesterday's green paper.
There are real signs that the government wants to move towards an 'early intervention' approach for supporting people with health conditions into work
But the bit cuts to PIP/UC eclipse these positives
www.health.org.uk/press-office...
There are real signs that the government wants to move towards an 'early intervention' approach for supporting people with health conditions into work
But the bit cuts to PIP/UC eclipse these positives
www.health.org.uk/press-office...
Reposted by Sam Atwell
I'd really encourage you to read this short article if you are remotely interested in the rise of mental-health related work inactivity - very thoughtful from @annieirvine.bsky.social
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
Unravelling the rise in mental health-related inactivity
Dr Annie Irvine on why we need a much more holistic approach to understanding capacity in order to tackle mental health-related inactivity.
www.health.org.uk
March 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I'd really encourage you to read this short article if you are remotely interested in the rise of mental-health related work inactivity - very thoughtful from @annieirvine.bsky.social
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
www.health.org.uk/features-and...
(cont)
Reposted by Sam Atwell
Want to understand what has been happening to working age mental health?
Read @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis below.
Across multiple data sources, rates have nearly doubled in 10 years for the 16-34 age group.
Lower qualifications associated with ⬆️ rates
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Read @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis below.
Across multiple data sources, rates have nearly doubled in 10 years for the 16-34 age group.
Lower qualifications associated with ⬆️ rates
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
March 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Want to understand what has been happening to working age mental health?
Read @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis below.
Across multiple data sources, rates have nearly doubled in 10 years for the 16-34 age group.
Lower qualifications associated with ⬆️ rates
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Read @healthfoundation.bsky.social analysis below.
Across multiple data sources, rates have nearly doubled in 10 years for the 16-34 age group.
Lower qualifications associated with ⬆️ rates
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Reposted by Sam Atwell
Good to see this - it reflects one of seven recommendations from the @healthfoundation.bsky.social's Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives. The government must move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term support for work and health. More in the Commission’s final report:
March 17, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Good to see this - it reflects one of seven recommendations from the @healthfoundation.bsky.social's Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives. The government must move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term support for work and health. More in the Commission’s final report:
Reposted by Sam Atwell
📣 NEW: Final report by our Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives.
The Commissioners say government and employers must act early when health issues arise – not wait until people have already left work ⬇️
buff.ly/EfkpBQu
The Commissioners say government and employers must act early when health issues arise – not wait until people have already left work ⬇️
buff.ly/EfkpBQu
Action for healthier working lives
The Commission for Healthier Working Lives’ final report sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining seven key recommendations to lay the foundation for sustained long-term…
buff.ly
March 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
📣 NEW: Final report by our Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives.
The Commissioners say government and employers must act early when health issues arise – not wait until people have already left work ⬇️
buff.ly/EfkpBQu
The Commissioners say government and employers must act early when health issues arise – not wait until people have already left work ⬇️
buff.ly/EfkpBQu
Out today: The final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives.
Ahead of the forthcoming DWP green paper, the report calls for a radical shift from late-stage intervention to early support, before poor health forces people out of work
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Ahead of the forthcoming DWP green paper, the report calls for a radical shift from late-stage intervention to early support, before poor health forces people out of work
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Action for healthier working lives
The Commission for Healthier Working Lives’ final report sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining seven key recommendations to lay the foundation for sustained long-term chan...
www.health.org.uk
March 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Out today: The final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives.
Ahead of the forthcoming DWP green paper, the report calls for a radical shift from late-stage intervention to early support, before poor health forces people out of work
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Ahead of the forthcoming DWP green paper, the report calls for a radical shift from late-stage intervention to early support, before poor health forces people out of work
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Reposted by Sam Atwell
Speaking at our event Anita Charlesworth says key to stemming health-related benefit spending is reducing flows onto benefits. This means:
- keeping people attached to their employer if they experience ill-health.
- make welfare system less binary (in/out of work). Bigger role of part-time work.
- keeping people attached to their employer if they experience ill-health.
- make welfare system less binary (in/out of work). Bigger role of part-time work.
March 6, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Speaking at our event Anita Charlesworth says key to stemming health-related benefit spending is reducing flows onto benefits. This means:
- keeping people attached to their employer if they experience ill-health.
- make welfare system less binary (in/out of work). Bigger role of part-time work.
- keeping people attached to their employer if they experience ill-health.
- make welfare system less binary (in/out of work). Bigger role of part-time work.
Reposted by Sam Atwell
📢 Are you or someone you know considering a career in the think tank sector?
We're hosting an online webinar for those interested in the sector, aimed particularly at those from under-represented groups.
Find out more and sign up here👇
https://buff.ly/3CYMwky
We're hosting an online webinar for those interested in the sector, aimed particularly at those from under-represented groups.
Find out more and sign up here👇
https://buff.ly/3CYMwky
February 20, 2025 at 8:51 AM
📢 Are you or someone you know considering a career in the think tank sector?
We're hosting an online webinar for those interested in the sector, aimed particularly at those from under-represented groups.
Find out more and sign up here👇
https://buff.ly/3CYMwky
We're hosting an online webinar for those interested in the sector, aimed particularly at those from under-represented groups.
Find out more and sign up here👇
https://buff.ly/3CYMwky
Another excellent report from our colleagues from @employmentstudies.bsky.social
It does the tricky job of unpicking international data on work outcomes for people with health conditions.
It highlights - with policy discussion - that the UK has lots of room to improve.
It does the tricky job of unpicking international data on work outcomes for people with health conditions.
It highlights - with policy discussion - that the UK has lots of room to improve.
📢New research! Our latest report for the Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives, supported by @healthfoundation.bsky.social, reveals that the UK’s ill health ‘employment gap’ is among the widest in the EU. Read the report: bit.ly/3EdbqNL 1/
January 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Another excellent report from our colleagues from @employmentstudies.bsky.social
It does the tricky job of unpicking international data on work outcomes for people with health conditions.
It highlights - with policy discussion - that the UK has lots of room to improve.
It does the tricky job of unpicking international data on work outcomes for people with health conditions.
It highlights - with policy discussion - that the UK has lots of room to improve.
Reposted by Sam Atwell
Striking how increasing rates of poor mental health, particularly among younger people, are broadly consistent across different data sources with different methodologies (including clinical scales & use of health services), in this useful comparison from @healthfoundation.bsky.social
January 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Striking how increasing rates of poor mental health, particularly among younger people, are broadly consistent across different data sources with different methodologies (including clinical scales & use of health services), in this useful comparison from @healthfoundation.bsky.social
Some fascinating and timely new analysis from my colleague Myriam Vriend unpicking some of the trends in mental health among people of working-age.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Mental health trends among working-age people
With the mental health of working-age people appearing to be getting worse, we look more closely at what the trends are telling us.
www.health.org.uk
January 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Some fascinating and timely new analysis from my colleague Myriam Vriend unpicking some of the trends in mental health among people of working-age.
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
Interesting thread looking at @jburnmurdoch.bsky.social helpful article unpicking what's going on with inactivity and the health-related benefit caseload.
TLDR: health trends are mixed, and both behaviour and reporting influenced by 'push' and 'pull' of labour markets and welfare system.
TLDR: health trends are mixed, and both behaviour and reporting influenced by 'push' and 'pull' of labour markets and welfare system.
"Britain’s illness-related inactivity crisis looks increasingly like a mirage" - great piece www.ft.com/content/1409.... But @jburnmurdoch.bsky.social goes wrong towards the end... 🧵
What if the UK isn’t actually the sick man of Europe?
Britain’s illness-related inactivity crisis looks increasingly like a mirage
www.ft.com
December 6, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Interesting thread looking at @jburnmurdoch.bsky.social helpful article unpicking what's going on with inactivity and the health-related benefit caseload.
TLDR: health trends are mixed, and both behaviour and reporting influenced by 'push' and 'pull' of labour markets and welfare system.
TLDR: health trends are mixed, and both behaviour and reporting influenced by 'push' and 'pull' of labour markets and welfare system.
This is a great piece of work from our friends at the Work Foundation.
Aside from lots on the risk factors for leaving the labour market, it very helpfully sets out a framework for policy intervention - from healthier workplaces to better ways of managing absence and work returns ⬇️
Aside from lots on the risk factors for leaving the labour market, it very helpfully sets out a framework for policy intervention - from healthier workplaces to better ways of managing absence and work returns ⬇️
Our report on tackling economic inactivity is finally out and it’s one we’ve been working on for a while.🥳
The key takeaway? Flexibility, autonomy, and support during the first year after ill health onset are game changers for keeping people in work.
A ~long~ thread to unpack our key findings🧵
The key takeaway? Flexibility, autonomy, and support during the first year after ill health onset are game changers for keeping people in work.
A ~long~ thread to unpack our key findings🧵
December 5, 2024 at 11:14 AM
This is a great piece of work from our friends at the Work Foundation.
Aside from lots on the risk factors for leaving the labour market, it very helpfully sets out a framework for policy intervention - from healthier workplaces to better ways of managing absence and work returns ⬇️
Aside from lots on the risk factors for leaving the labour market, it very helpfully sets out a framework for policy intervention - from healthier workplaces to better ways of managing absence and work returns ⬇️
I saw this clip earlier. Although I am not sure I agree that 'no one really knows what is happening', it is rare (and good!) to see a commentator talk about the problem of poor quality work (and not just indulging in benefit-bashing, or sweeping statements about NHS waiting lists)
Rory Stewart, "We're in an unbelievable hole.. 9.2 million economically inactive people"
"Part of the problem might be that we've created a really rubbish working environment.. Jobs are poorly paid.. Stressful.. People in the UK work longer hours than they do in Europe, for less money"
"Part of the problem might be that we've created a really rubbish working environment.. Jobs are poorly paid.. Stressful.. People in the UK work longer hours than they do in Europe, for less money"
November 29, 2024 at 2:55 PM
I saw this clip earlier. Although I am not sure I agree that 'no one really knows what is happening', it is rare (and good!) to see a commentator talk about the problem of poor quality work (and not just indulging in benefit-bashing, or sweeping statements about NHS waiting lists)
Lots expected in today's employment white paper.
One less eye-catching announcement will be a new focus on retention and inclusive work, as the Commission for Healthier Working Lives has called for.
Some insights on the challenge, from our partners @employmentstudies.bsky.social ⬇️
One less eye-catching announcement will be a new focus on retention and inclusive work, as the Commission for Healthier Working Lives has called for.
Some insights on the challenge, from our partners @employmentstudies.bsky.social ⬇️
November 26, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Lots expected in today's employment white paper.
One less eye-catching announcement will be a new focus on retention and inclusive work, as the Commission for Healthier Working Lives has called for.
Some insights on the challenge, from our partners @employmentstudies.bsky.social ⬇️
One less eye-catching announcement will be a new focus on retention and inclusive work, as the Commission for Healthier Working Lives has called for.
Some insights on the challenge, from our partners @employmentstudies.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Sam Atwell
📢New research! Investigating the case for not just more jobs but *better quality* jobs. Our IES report for the Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives finds that poor job quality threatens the health of the UK workforce. (1/2) bit.ly/3CH4uYB @employmentstudies.bsky.social
Exploring the interactions between job quality, industries and health | Institute for Employment Studies (IES)
How do different aspects of job quality affect employee health? This report seeks to clarify the evidence on these areas to support the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, supported by the Health ...
bit.ly
November 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM
📢New research! Investigating the case for not just more jobs but *better quality* jobs. Our IES report for the Commission for #HealthierWorkingLives finds that poor job quality threatens the health of the UK workforce. (1/2) bit.ly/3CH4uYB @employmentstudies.bsky.social